Hitting the BCR links in 2012

2012 All-BCR Boys Golf team

The 2012 boys golf season was a highly successful one with one area team (Princeton) qualifying for sectionals along with six individual golfers, two of which went on to IHSA State competition.

Here’s a rundown of the 2012 All-BCR Golf team.

Cole Evenson (Princeton, SR.): The most talented golfer around (40.3 average) with a short, compact swing that lends itself well to consistent play. He was ineligible for much of the season, but made a quick impact by winning the Princeton Invite in his first week back.

He carried the Tigers to a third-place and sectional qualifying finish at the Dixon Regional as the meet runner-up with a 75.

“Though he came up a few strokes shy of a trip to state, his 4-year career on the golf course as a PHS golfer is one to be emulated by future players,” PHS coach Duane Price said.

Joey Dudek (St. Bede, SO): One of the young guns for the Bruins golf club, Dudek had an outstanding sophomore season which culminated with his first sectional appearance. Dudek was the Bruins’ medalist in three matches, received NCIC All-Conference honors with a fourth-place finish, was the runner-up at the Princeton Invite and placed fifth at the Seneca Regional with an 82.

“Joe is well prepared to lead the Bruins into the future,” SBA coach Rich Cummings said.

Pete Mautino (Hall, JR.): The Red Devils No. 1 man in all but three competitions, Mautino led the Hall squad with 42.2 average per 9 holes. He had a tournament average of 84.5. Among his season highlights, Mautino medaled at the Princeton and Kewanee invites, was the Tri-County Conference meet and season runner-up.

In the postseason, he placed seventh at the Seneca Regional and was fifth out of 112 golfers on a windy day at the Elgin Sectional

“He played some his best golf of the year at the end of the season, which is good,” Hall coach Tom Bauer said. “He was fifth at sectional and three of the kids that beat him were from North Shore Country Day, who won the Class 1A state again this year.”

Hunter Schultz (Princeton, SR.): The 2012 golfer of the Year, lowered his average from 43.8 to 41.6 this year. He received NCIC All-Conference honors on the course and All-Academic honors off the course. He was one of two area golfers to qualify for state with an eighth-place finish (87) at the IHSA Belvidere North Class 2A Sectional.

“I found Hunter to be very coachable, especially as he improved his short game and mental toughness during the postseason,” first-year PHS coach Duane Price said.

Ryan Young (Bureau Valley, JR.): The Three Rivers First Team All-Conference medal winner carried the best average for the Storm with a 42.0 clip per nine holes. He placed seventh in the conference tournament, qualified out of the Monmouth United Regional with a 90 and wrapped up his season with a 93 at the PORTA Sectional.

BV coach Dan Gustafson said Young has his best golf ahead of him.

“He played well all year. He never gave up and always had a positive attitude towards everything and everyone,” he said.

Second team

Grant Bosnich (St. Bede, SR.): Though he came up short in a bid to repeat as a sectional qualifier, with the Bruins taking third at regionals as a team, the Bruins co-captain had a solid senior season as team leader. He averaged 44.13, finished ninth at the Kewanee Boiler Invite while leading the team to a team finishes of third at Kewanee and second at the Princeton Invite.

“As one of two senior co-captains, along with Mike Zywica, they were true leaders on and off the course mentoring and welcoming all the underclassmen,” Cummings said.

Jarret Olson (St. Bede, FR.): The Bruins freshman Cub placed himself firmly in the varsity lineup. He averaged 44.25 with a top 10 finish at the Princeton Invite and receiving NCIC All-Conference honors. He was the ninth individual qualifier from the Seneca Regional to qualify for sectionals.

“Jarret’s future and potential along with the other young golfers at St. Bede have created a bright future,” Cummings said.

Austin Hellman (Princeton, SR.): His 42.8 average was among the best for Princeton golfers who played through the whole course of the season. He shined best on his home course with a third-place finish of 76 at Hunter’s Ridge Golf Course in the Princeton Invitational, just three strokes behind teammate and medalist Cole Evenson.

Hellman led PHS in a few 9-hole meets and Price said the senior swinger was a consistent golfer and scorer for the Tigers.

Zach Hicks (Princeton, JR.): He may not have be the flashiest golfer around, Price said, but Hicks’ game progressed immensely during the second half of the season. He carried a 42.7 average, second low for the Tigers, and earned NCIC All-Conference honors with an 81 in the conference tournament.

“I think it took him a bit of time to understand his scoring role on the team, and, when he did, his scores got lower and more consistent,” Price said. “Without him, we would have many fewer team honors this season. I hope he works extremely hard next summer and returns next season knowing that he can not only lead our team but also lead all area golfers.”

Griffin Kozeal (Amboy/LaMoille, SO.): One of four golfers from LaMoille for the co-op squad, Kozeal developed into the Clippers’ ace. He placed third with a 78 to garner Three Rivers All-Conference honors, was the third individual qualifier at the Freeport Regional and missed the state cut from the Elgin Sectional by three strokes.

“We’ve got a lot of good young golfers from LaMoille and Griffin’s one of them,” Amboy coach Zach Ross said.